Magpul improves the Ruger 10/22 Takedown

Ruger’s 10/22 is a great prepping and survival rifle. Chambered in .22 long rifle, the ammo is (still) relatively cheap and plentiful. But stock up now, before the SHTF. The 10/22 is a semi-auto rifle with a detachable box magazine. Reliable mags come in capacities as large as 25-rounds. And there are plenty of third-party products to improve the gun.

The 10/22 can be used to take small game. It’s also capable, though not ideal, as a home defense weapon. Accuracy is good, and with the right ammo, a well-placed shot will get the job done.

Cost of the 10/22 has always been reasonable. You can buy a high-end 10/22 clone from companies like Volquartsen or Kidd Innovative Designs. But you will pay two or three times as much money for their (admittedly very nice) improved 10/22s. On the other hand, it is true that the humble and affordable Ruger 10/22 could use some improvements.

Enter Magpul. As all gun aficionados know, Magpul’s original claim to fame was their magazine that could be pulled (mag-pull) from the rifle by means of loop at the bottom. But over time, they became known for high quality, reliable and very ergonomic products of every kind. At Shot Show 2017, the company has just released a new stock for the Ruger 10/22 takedown.

The Magpul X-22 Backpacker stock, of course, comes apart into two pieces, but then the pieces lock together for secure and compact storage. The stock has a hinged storage compartment which can store up to 3 spare 10-rd magazines. Two cheek guards of different heights are included.

Why is this product great for preppers? Of course, you can easily take the rifle with you, when camping or backpacking. That’s what it’s designed for. But suppose you need to bug-out due to some SHTF disaster.

The extra-ordinarily useful AR is not so travel friendly, due to varying State laws and an undeserved bad reputation. A .22LR rifle is legal in more places. (At this point, I’m not sure what’s legal in California, due to their recent newly passed gun control laws.) It’s also lighter, quieter, and more of a low-profile weapon. Even so, when traveling out of State with any firearm, check the laws of all States where you will (or might possibly in a contingency) travel to or through.

The X-22 Backpacker allows you to quickly reassemble the firearm, and the stock holds three 10-round magazines. That’s plenty of firepower for all kinds of situations. Sure, a U.S. Survival AR-7 rifle is even more compact. But the Magpul X-22 is more ergonomic, and the 10/22 takedown is reliable, accurate, and can be easily upgraded with third-party products. The extra compactness of the AR-7 just isn’t enough to outweigh the advantages of the X-22 Backpacker on a Ruger 10/22.